NIU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program retained two top-15 positions in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report rankings.
NIU was ranked fourth in the nation in the specialty field of local government management, 11th nationally in the specialty of public finance and budgeting and 61st in overall public affairs among the 271 ranked programs.
NIU’s perennially ranked MPA program—which produces about one-third of city managers in Illinois—is the top-ranked local government program among public and private university programs in Illinois.
“We are thrilled to learn that the public administration community continues to see us as a leader in local government management and public budgeting and finance,” said Scott Robinson, professor and chair of the Department of Public Administration. “We will continue to serve the state of Illinois and beyond by training the next generation of public servants.”
The MPA program has a 95% job-placement record within six months of graduation. Robinson credits the paid internship program that ensures students are well prepared for the job market.
Many NIU MPA program alumni go on to become city or county managers, finance directors, park directors, as well as police and fire chiefs. Both NIU MPA faculty and alumni have played a major role in efforts to professionalize municipal staffs statewide and advance the national good government movement. Some alumni work for the federal government and the private sector – serving as consultants to help private industry with public service needs.
“Earning my Master of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University opened doors to a career path I never imagined possible,” said alumnus Matthew Galloway, a U.S. Navy veteran and economic development specialist with the Village of Hoffman Estates. “This degree has led me to a fulfilling role in public service, where I’ve been able to make a meaningful and noticeable impact in the communities I serve.”
In addition to the traditional in-person experience, NIU offers a fully online MPA program. It is exclusively designed for professionals who have two or more years of service in the public sector which includes government and nonprofit organizations. Public service professionals can also opt to take five courses and earn a Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management or a Graduate Certificate in Public Management. Credit hours earned from the graduate certificates can be applied toward the pursuit of the MPA degree.
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